Despite feeling increasingly lightheaded, Rian continued to run, no pound, on the treadmill undeterred by the warning signals her subconscious was sending her, sweat pouring out of every pore, ponytail flying from side to side. Thump – thump – thump – thump!

Sometimes I wonder whether anyone who’s gone through hell, or some version of it, can ever be successful in begging the universe to cough up some kind of abrasive that can rub out memories of that hell. Erase the past.  Start afresh. 

She knew her thoughts were leading her inexorably down a particularly tricky rabbit hole, yet again, and that there was a 50-50 chance she would figure her way out in time. Before…

C’mon universe. Give it up.  Lemme have it already.  The fucking eraser.  Now!

“Level 8 is too high for you,” a gentle but firm voice suddenly cut through the racket Rian was making while pounding on the treadmill; the voice was also distinct enough to slice through the music playing from earbuds that remained snug in her ears. A funny thing happened on the way down the rabbit hole today.  

“Wha–a-a-t-t …did you … say?” Rian gasped out, turning slightly to look at who was interrupting her workout.  As she did so, she unconsciously reached out to hold onto the side arms of the treadmill to keep her balance and maintain her fast, running pace. Beautiful brunette, stripped down to just a sport bra and micro, spandex shorts that displayed acres of smooth, glowing, slightly tanned skin over long, leanly-muscled, well shaped legs. Evidently done with her workout, based on her stripped down get up, she’d also shucked her shoes off, and was down to her socks, gracefully balanced on the balls of her feet – shoeless, she still looked taller than average, and stood erect at around 5-8” or so.  Rian eyed her ripped, fit core, slim waist, and healthy, silky hair that fell like a curtain behind her long, graceful neck.  Although still perspiring slightly, the sweat only made her glisten under the lights and she gave off a clean, sage-patchouli-tinged scent mixed with oud? and aquamarine.  Expensive.  

“Are you a fucking Barbie model or something?” was all Rian could come up with, albeit in a gruff, irate manner, in between quickly-drawn breaths.  She noticed that her heart was beating abnormally fast, and was finally conscious of feeling a little light-headed.   Maybe I AM overdoing it.